Maple Leafs sign depth defenceman, and Ontario-boy, Mark Fraser

Toronto
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Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke continues his off-season theme of adding small pieces of the puzzle by his signing of 25-year-old defenceman Mark Fraser Tuesday. Fraser played half his season last year with the Marlies.

The native of Ottawa was in the minors playing for the Anaheim Ducks organization when he was acquired him in February for minor-league winger Dale Mitchell; Fraser was a part of the Marlies' run to the AHL Calder Cup final and recorded three assists in 17 games during the playoffs and 2 assists in 20 regular-season games with the club.

The 6'4, 220 pound Fraser was drafted in round 3 of the 2005 NHL entry draft, 84th overall, by the New Jersey Devils. He's played 98 regular season games in the NHL, all with the Devils, and has 3 goals and 5 assists.

Toronto has been unable to land via trade or a free-agent signing an bona-fide impact player this summer, missing out on Rick Nash, Jordan Staal and Alexander Semin. Instead they've added Jay McClement and Keith Aucoin and, in a trade for Luke Schenn, picked up winger James van Riemsdyk from Philadelphia. While rumors about acquiring a goalie, such as the L.A. King's Jonathan Bernier or Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks, have died down, Burke continues to say he is not finished making moves.